Taplas
"The combination of fiddle and saxophones may seem unusual, but when you know the fiddler is the virtuosic Anglo-Swedish Emma Reid you will also know that she
wouldn't record with anyone who isn't in the same league. Sweden's Daniel Carlsson is certainly that and he's one of few to play folk music on saxes.
He plays soprano on about half the tracks, switching to either alto or baritone on the others. The interplay with Emma's fiddle is magical and the two
instruments produce a comfortably-upholstered sound throughout. Both contribute newly composed tunes, while others come from the likes of Ale Möller/Mats Edén,
Ola Bäckström, the late Jonas Olsson who wrote the title track, and Roger Tallroth from the mighty band Väsen, whose 12-stringed guitar is heard on several
peices.
Not all the tunes are Swedish. One each from England, Scotland and France are also included and none sounds out of place. Innerligheten is a truly
satisfying album."
Keith Hudson
FiddleOn
"The saxophone has enjoyed some unexpectantly productive encounters with early music and folk music and some of the best exponents (Norwegian Jan Garbarek's
recording with the Hilliard ensemble, for example) seem to come from Scandinavia. Innerligheten (Tenderness) is a lovely set of recordings filled with
evocative sound landscapes beautifully conjured up by Swedish saxophonist Daniel Carlsson and Stockholm-based Emma Reid on fiddle and viola. The tunes and
harmonies are variations of modern folk themes twinned with their own compositions and mostly born from a mutual enthusiasm for exploring the dynamics
of their instruments. The resulting tracks
are melodic folk and jazz-tinged reveries peppered with a touch of Scandinavian strageness (at least to my southern ears!): reflections on stories, people, places
and emotions. The playing is accomplished and completely absorbing, with Emma's variations in tone and expression bouncing off Daniel's smooth saxophone notes.
Carlsson and Reid are joined by Görgen Antonsson on octave fiddle and Roger Tallroth on 12-string guitar on some of the tracks. There's a light and joyful feel
to the whole album and the jazz leaning tracks, such as 'Fantomenland' and 'Vintergatan', offer a pleasing contrast to the folkier side of their music. Very
enjoyable and just a bit out-of-the-ordinary!"
Geoff Ager
Bright Young Folk
"Daniel & Emma bring an intriguing combination of saxophone and fiddle, British and Swedish music together in an album that must surely be located somewhere
in the North Sea.
Innerligheten is primarily an instrumental album, mostly containing tunes from within the last 30 years with a couple of traditional ones thrown in.
The first track, Mari ar moal / Rowan is the only one to contain speech - William Blake’s Nurse’s Song, recited wonderfully by Richard Wistreich.
The tune and words are perfect for the newborn baby that inspired the track.
Daniel truly plays folk saxophone, not unnecessarily jazzing up the music, but instead being sensitive and dynamic, whilst Emma’s fiddle swoops and
soars.
There is a tightness in the playing which reminds me a little of Belshazzar’s Feast, also because a few tracks have something of a Playford element
seeping through them.
Innerligheten, the title track, translates roughly as ’tenderness’, and the tune certainly lives up to that name, lending though to happy, peaceful
memories.
The strathspey Sweetness of Mary will for many be the most familiar tune on the album. Traditional and popular, both session musicians and ceilidh dancers
will recognise it. Daniel & Emma cleverly alternate instruments throughout the tune, in a manner that effectively paints the picture of two people dancing
the strathspey.
Vintergatan does not translate as ’winter garden’ but instead it is the Swedish word for the Milky Way. Armed with this information the fiddle plucking gives
a sense of travel and endlessness. Meanwhile the saxophone soars and explores with occasional moments of drama and excitement.
Rävhalling has good pace as a tune, and the added bonus of someone dancing to the music on the recording. Whilst it is not the clear percussive sound of clog,
the steps that can be heard, and the exclamatory ’huh’ give real vibrancy to an already exciting tune.
Innerligheten is a bold mixture of Swedish and British folk music from two performers entirely comfortable with both traditions and each other."
Liz Osman
Folkworld
"Innerligheten is the debut album of Daniel Carlsson on Saxophone and Emma Reid on violin... This debut album contains eleven tunes,
mostly original material, two traditional and the Möller/Eden composition Rävhalling... The album starts poetically with a dreamy melody called Mari ar moal
in combination with a poem by William Blake. It’s the only tune with lyrics, the rest is all instrumental. It doesn’t matter what they play, its passion, intimate
and of high quality. Their version of Rävhalling is absolutely beautiful, their own compositions are full of Swedish traditional elements with an occasionally
Celtic vibe. In their own work they dare to experiment a little bit more, although I personally find that they stay very close to a ‘traditional’ (more or less)
sound. Wonderful music and again a Swedish violin/sax album that might end up in my top ten of best albums of 2010."
Eelco Schilder
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